JP5696255B2 - Drink container - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for making a drink, and more particularly to an apparatus for making a drink suitable for making coffee from a pre-packed disposable container and filter combination.

  A variety of known coffee making devices are those that contain heated water that is passed through it, in a container as part of the machine, in a single form of coffee beans (eg, ground or ground). Including adding what is not written). The container typically includes a filter mechanism so that the heated water exiting the container is in the form of a cup of coffee. Certain devices require that pre-ground coffee beans be added in a “ground” form. Other devices contain unground coffee beans in a hopper or opening, include a mechanism for grinding the beans, and complete the process of making coffee. Sometimes it is preferable to have unground beans for making coffee so that the coffee is ground just before it is put in, as this is believed to produce a fresh flavored coffee drink. Still other devices require the use of a detachable container or a pre-packed ground coffee in a full-size filter container that is inserted into the apparatus. In such an example, pre-packed removable containers or containers are limited to those containing ground coffee. Certain pre-packed containers need to be placed in a separate filter mechanism within the device, and other containers have a telescoping filter mechanism.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for making a drink and an associated method that has the advantage of making coffee from unground beans that have been ground immediately before being put in a convenient and disposable package. Objective.

  These and other objectives are achieved with the present invention.

  The drink device according to the present invention is directed to a device, a dedicated pre-packed coffee container and filter, and a method for placing coffee using it. The container comprises a cup-shaped base with a large opening at the top, a peripheral side wall and a grooved floor to direct liquid flow to the opening at the bottom. A paper filter is placed on the floor of the cup and above the paper filter is a screen. Both the paper filter and the screen are circular and are sized to fit over the entire floor. A plurality of roasted unground coffee beans are placed on the screen and the cup is sealed with a foil lid, in which the beans are contained. The device has a mechanism such that when the cup is positioned in a compartment within the device and the device is activated, the assembly blade breaks the foil and enters the cup and grinds the beans while in the cup. Next, heated water is dispensed into the cup and passes through the ground beans, allowing the coffee to be discharged into the container through the opening at the bottom of the cup. The size of the cup and the amount of heated water dispensed will be the size of the coffee supplied, such as a single cup or a larger selected size.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a filter cup pre-packed with unground coffee beans according to the present invention. 2 is a perspective top view of the filter cup pre-packed with the unground coffee beans of FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective bottom view of the filter cup pre-packed with the unground coffee beans of FIG. 4 is a top view of the filter cup pre-packed with the unground coffee beans of FIG. FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the filter cup pre-packed with the unground coffee beans of FIG. 6 is a side view of a filter cup pre-packed with unground coffee beans of FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the filter cup pre-packed with the unground coffee beans of FIG. 1 along the line AA of FIG. FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a filter cup pre-packed with unground coffee beans according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a perspective right side view of the coffee machine according to the present invention. 10 is a perspective left side view of the coffee machine of FIG. FIG. 11 is a left side view of the coffee device of FIG. 9. FIG. 12 is a front view of the coffee apparatus of FIG. FIG. 13 is a right side view of the coffee machine of FIG. FIG. 14 is a rear view of the coffee device of FIG. 9. FIG. 15 is a top view of the coffee device of FIG. 9. FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the coffee device of FIG. 9. FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the coffee machine of FIG. 9 showing a ready state. 18 is a perspective view of the coffee device of FIG. 9 showing filling of a filter cup pre-packed with unground coffee beans of FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the coffee machine of FIG. 9 showing a filter cup pre-packed with the unground coffee beans of FIG. 1 on a filling plate. 20 is a perspective view of the coffee device of FIG. 9 in a filled state. FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the coffee device of FIG. 9 in a state ready for insertion. FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the coffee device of FIG. 9 in operation. FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the coffee device of FIG. 9 after a cup of coffee has been placed. FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the coffee device of FIG. 9 showing the removal of the used pre-packed filter cup after the coffee has been added. FIG. 25A is a conceptual diagram of a filter cup pre-packed with the unground coffee beans of FIG. 1 showing where the moisture flows while the coffee is being added. 25B is a bottom view of a showerhead that distributes heated water to filter cups pre-packed with the unground coffee beans of FIG. 1 according to the present invention. 26 is a first side cross-sectional view of the coffee device of FIG. 9 in the first state. 27 is a second side cross-sectional view of the coffee device of FIG. 9 in the first state. 28 is a first cross-sectional side view of the coffee machine of FIG. 9 shown in the second state. 29 is a second cross-sectional side view of the coffee machine of FIG. 9 shown in the second state. FIG. 30 is a detailed conceptual diagram of the bean grinding motor and the bean grinding assembly blade of the coffee apparatus of FIG. 9. FIG. 31 is a conceptual cross-sectional view of the coffee device of FIG. 9 in an operating state. 32 is a conceptual cross-sectional view of another operating state of the coffee device of FIG. 9. FIG. 33 is a conceptual cross-sectional view of another operating state of the coffee device of FIG. 9. FIG. 34 is an enlarged detail view of the bean grinding motor and filter cup lifting mechanism of the coffee machine of FIG. FIG. 35 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of the coffee apparatus of FIG. 9 in an operating state. FIG. 36 is an enlarged cross-sectional conceptual diagram of another operating state of the coffee device of FIG. 9. FIG. 37 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of the coffee apparatus of FIG. 9 in an operating state. 38 is a perspective view of an assembly blade for grinding beans used with the coffee machine of FIG. 9 according to the present invention. FIG. 39 is a top view of the bean grinding assembly blade of FIG. 40 is a left side view of the assembly blade for grinding beans of FIG. FIG. 41 is a front view of the bean grinding assembly blade of FIG. FIG. 42 is a right side view of the assembly blade for grinding beans of FIG. 43 is a side cross-sectional view of the bean grinding assembly blade of FIG. 38 taken along line AA of FIG. 44 is a conceptual diagram of a filter cup in which the assembly blade shown in the first position and the unground coffee beans of FIG. 1 are pre-packed. FIG. 45 is a conceptual diagram of a filter cup in which the assembly blade shown in the second position and the unground coffee beans of FIG. 1 are packed in advance. FIG. 46 is a conceptual diagram of a filter cup in which the assembly blade shown in the third position and the unground coffee beans of FIG. 1 are pre-packed. FIG. 47 is a conceptual view of a filter cup in which the assembly blade shown in the fourth position and the unground coffee beans of FIG. 1 are packed in advance. FIG. 48 is an enlarged conceptual diagram of the ground state of the coffee apparatus of FIG. 49 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 48 in the state of bean grinding of the coffee device of FIG. 1. FIG. 50 is an enlarged conceptual diagram after the coffee beans of the coffee device of FIG. 1 are ground. 51 is an enlarged conceptual diagram of a bean grinding blade of the coffee apparatus of FIG. 1 for grinding coffee beans according to the present invention. FIG. 52 is a perspective front view of an alternative bean grinding blade for use with the coffee machine of FIG. 9 according to another embodiment of the present invention. 53 is a perspective rear view of the alternative bean grinding assembly blade of FIG. FIG. 54 is a top view of the alternative bean grinding assembly blade of FIG. FIG. 55 is a left side view of the alternative bean grinding assembly blade of FIG. FIG. 56 is a front view of the bean grinding assembly blade of FIG. FIG. 57 is a right side view of the assembly blade for grinding beans of FIG. 58 is a conceptual cross-sectional view of the coffee machine of FIG. 9 showing the flow of moisture from the liquid container through the pre-packed filter cup of FIG. 59 is a conceptual cross-sectional view of the coffee device of FIG. 9 showing a cleaning state. FIG. 60 is a perspective view of a water container of a coffee device according to the present invention. 61 is a bottom view of a portion of the coffee machine of FIG. FIG. 62 is a perspective view of a tray containing filter cups pre-packed with unground coffee beans of FIG. 63 is a sectional side view of the tray of FIG. 64 is a bottom view of the tray of FIG. 62 and is a view of the tray components of the apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 65 is a perspective view of a coffee machine having a sliding drip tray according to the present invention. 66 is a cross-sectional view of the coffee machine of FIG. 65 showing the sliding drip tray in the extended position. 67 is a cross-sectional view of the coffee machine of FIG. 65 showing the sliding drip tray in the retracted position. FIG. 68 is a conceptual diagram of a coffee device according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 69 is a conceptual diagram of a coffee machine according to another embodiment of the present invention showing the bean grinding motor in the first position. FIG. 70 is a conceptual diagram of the coffee device of FIG. 69 showing the bean grinding motor in the second position.

  1-7, the filter cup 10 used in the apparatus according to the present invention includes a cup 12, a paper / fiber filter 14, a plastic screen 16, and a foil cover 18. The filter 14 prevents ground coffee and / or other deposits from exiting the cup 12 while making a drink, but allows liquid to pass through. The cover 18 is preferably formed from aluminum or other known material and is heat sealed or detachably attached to the upper periphery of the cup 10. A plurality of unground coffee beans 20 is placed in the space between the foil cover 18 and the plastic screen 16. FIG. 1 illustrates coffee beans contained in a filter cup 10, but other foods and materials such as tea can be used in a manner similar to that described herein without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention. Can be used.

  As further shown in FIG. 1, the cup 12 has an opening 22 on its upper surface, a peripheral side wall 24 and a floor surface 26. As best shown in FIGS. 2-7, the floor surface 26 has a plurality of grooves or flow routes 28 that direct the fluid flow to a circular depression or recess 30 having one or more holes 32. . Importantly, as described herein, the recess 30 is at the lowest position of the cup 10 to collect coffee in the recess 30 and exit the cup 32 through the hole 32. . FIG. 7 illustrates the cup 10 containing the coffee beans 20 in an assembled state. As shown, the paper filter 14 is disposed on the floor surface 26 of the cup 12. A plastic screen 16 is placed on top of the paper filter 14 to prevent the paper filter 14 from being worn by bean grinders and / or ground coffee. Both the paper filter 14 and the screen 16 are circular and are sized to be received neatly at the bottom by the peripheral side wall 24 of the cup. As best shown in FIG. 7, the screen 16 is resilient and can resist bending deformation, and the screen 16 provides a flat surface in the cup 12 on which the coffee beans 20 are placed. Importantly, as will be described in detail herein, the screen 16 prevents the coffee beans 20 from falling on the floor 26 of the cup 12 (out of reach of the bean grinder) and the optimum bean with the bean grinder. It is to make it easy to grind. As described above, the foil cover 18 seals the filter 14, screen 16 and coffee beans 20 in the cup 12.

  The cup 10 may be stored and transported in a separately sealed package or wrap for further freshness and protection, and the holes 32 in the floor 26 are covered with, for example, an adhesive label (not shown). Also good. In a preferred embodiment, the filter cup 10 is a pre-packed single use disposable component. Thus, the foil cover 18 is hermetically sealed to maintain freshness and fragrance and prevent the coffee beans 20 from containing moisture or being soiled. As explained above, the filter cup 10 may be sealed with the foil cover 18 and an adhesive label, or may be packed in a cover with or without an adhesive label. In another embodiment, the filter cup 10 may instead be a reusable cup that is refilled with each use. In an embodiment, the cup floor 26 may be formed without holes 32. In the present embodiment, the cup floor 26 may be pierced with a needle when inserted into the coffee machine to provide an outlet for the coffee flow that has entered.

  Referring now to FIG. 8, an alternative configuration for the filter cup 50 is shown. As shown, the cup 50 is basically similar in shape and configuration to the cup 10, but uses a metal mesh filter 52 instead of the paper / fiber filter 14 and the protective plastic screen 16. In this embodiment, the metal mesh filter 52 is fine enough to prevent ground coffee from exiting the cup 10 and provides a degree of wear resistance. Although the filter 52 is disclosed as being formed of a metal mesh, other materials that are substantially resistant to wear from the grinder and / or ground coffee are used without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. May be.

  With reference to FIGS. 9-24, an apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The device 100 is intended to be used in combination with the filter cup 10 disclosed above for making coffee and other drinks. As shown, the apparatus 100 has a generally rectangular shape and includes a drip tray housing 104 that slidably houses a drip tray 106 having a base 102 and an elongated gapd or latticed upper surface 108. The top surface 108 of the drip tray 106 is configured to place a container, such as a coffee mug 109 thereon, to receive fresh coffee that is made and exits the device 100. As will be readily appreciated, the top surface 108 with an elongated gap for easy cleaning, will allow liquid spilled from the cup 109 or liquid that has been removed from the cup 109 during operation to collect on the drip tray 106. To be able to.

  The chassis 110 is supported on the base 102 and is located at the top, and slides and accommodates a grinder such as a filter cup chassis / tray 112 that secures and positions the filter cup 10 during use. As will be described below, a handle 114 is pivotally attached to the housing 110 for operation. As further shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a water container 116 is attached to, supported by, or forms part of the housing 110. In an embodiment, the water container 116 is removable or permanently attached to the housing 110. As described below, the housing 110 also includes a control panel 118 that controls the operating functions of the device. As best shown in FIG. 10, the base 102 slidably houses a waste tank 120 that receives water from the filter cup 10 that is discarded after the cleaning operation of the apparatus 100 (described below) and after use. A recess is included on its side. In an alternative embodiment, the tray 112 is pivotally housed in the housing 110, a first position in which the housing / tray 112 is housed in the housing, and the tray 112 is pivoted away from the housing to the user side. It may be movable between the second position that facilitates placing the cup 10. In an embodiment, the tray 112 is removable from the housing 110 for cleaning.

  The operation of the apparatus 100 will now be described with particular reference to FIGS. 17-24. First, the water container 116 is filled with water. The user then selects the desired coffee setting from the control panel 118. Settings may include selectable options such as coffee strength, serving size, timer settings, and automatic drink making. Next, as shown in FIG. 17, the handle 114 is moved upward in the direction of arrow A to release the tray 112 from the position where it is placed and maintained in the housing 110. The tray 112 slides from the apparatus 100 to the position shown in FIG. In this position, the tray 112 is ready for the filter cup 10 to be placed on the receiving bracket 124 of the tray 112.

  After the cup 10 is inserted into the tray 112, the tray 112 is ready to be pushed back into the apparatus 100 in the direction of arrow C, as shown in FIG. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 20, the tray 112 is manually pushed back into the apparatus 100 so as to be accommodated in the housing 110 in the locked position. Next, the handle 114 is lowered in the direction of the arrow D, and the process of grinding and drinking is automatically started.

  Referring to FIG. 21, as described above, the bean grinding process begins automatically after the handle 114 is lowered. In that process, the coffee beans 20 in the filter cup 10 are ground by the bean grinding blade 126 placed in the cup 10, and the beans 20 are converted into ground coffee 128. After the bean grinding is completed, heated water is supplied to the cup 10 from a water outlet described later. As shown by arrow 130 in FIG. 22, coffee is discharged from the bottom of tray 112 into coffee mug 109 located below tray 112, which has an opening that allows such discharge. .

  After the drink making process is completed, the handle 114 is raised in the direction of arrow E from the position shown in FIG. 23 to the position shown in FIG. Again, the upward movement of the handle 114 releases the tray 112 and slides out of the housing 110 of the device 100 so that the user can manually remove the used filter cup 10 from the tray 112. The cup 10 may then be discarded in the disposal tank 120. The mug 109 filled with coffee is removed from the drip tray 106 before or after this step.

  In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 24, the blade cleaning operation automatically begins while the tray 112 is in the outer position. In the blade cleaning operation, water is discharged from the water outlet 132. Since the cup 10 has been removed, the blade is surrounded by space, so the flowing water will clean the blade. In one embodiment, the blade rotates while using water to facilitate cleaning. Since the tray 112 is in the outer position, water does not flow out to the bottom of the cup 10 or the outside of the tray 112 as in the state where coffee is being added. Instead, as shown in FIG. 59, water falls to the rear end 134 of the tray 112 and goes to the collection pan 136, where it is diverted. The water flowing out from the collecting pan 136 of the tray 112 passes through the waste tube 138 and falls into the waste tank 120.

  In an alternative embodiment, a cup containing a cleaning liquid such as water may be utilized to clean the blade 166 periodically or after each use. In this embodiment, a wash cup is inserted into the receptacle 124 and the device 100 is activated by pulling the handle 114 downward. The device 100 then operates a normal beverage making cycle. Alternatively, the cleaning cycle may be activated by pressing a button on the control panel 118. The cleaning cycle is specifically configured with, for example, water temperature, operating time, blade rotation speed, etc., to optimize blade cleaning and disinfection. In another embodiment, the cleaning cup may include a cleaning liquid or cleaning agent slurry. The cleaning agent may be liquid or dried, and may be in the form of granules, powders, or the like.

  In yet another embodiment, the cleaning operation may include operating a beverage making cycle without actually inserting the filter cup 10. In this embodiment, the handle 114 is moved downward and a cleaning cycle is initiated so that heated water passes through the stopped or rotating blade 166 to clean the blade. Alternatively, the cleaning cycle may be started by pressing a button on the control panel 118.

  62 and 63 illustrate the tray 112 and the collection pan 136. FIG. 64 shows a bottom view of the tray 112 and the opening 32 of the cup 10 through which the brewed coffee flows out through the opening 140 at the bottom of the tray 112.

  FIG. 25A conceptually illustrates how ground coffee 128, ground from unground coffee beans 20 in the procedure described below, is extracted with heated water to produce coffee. The ground coffee 128 is placed in the cup 10 and heated water is introduced from above through the water outlet 132 as indicated by the arrow 142. The heated water flows through the ground coffee 128 in the cup 10 and flows out of the hole 32 at the bottom of the cup 10 as indicated by arrow 144.

  26 and 27 illustrate certain internal configurations of the device 100. FIG. As shown, the water container 116 is filled with water. The tray 112 is withdrawn so that the cup 10 can be placed on the receiving bracket 124 of the tray 112 as shown in FIGS. The tray 112 is then pushed back into the apparatus to the position shown in FIG. The handle 114 is then moved downward as shown in FIGS. Such movement of the handle 114 raises the cup 10 upward to grind the coffee beans 20 in the cup 10, as will be described below. The apparatus 100 includes a heater 146 and a pump 148, heats water from the container 116, sends the water via a supply channel, and performs a beverage making operation as described with reference to FIG. 25A. As shown in FIGS. 26 to 29, a bean grinding motor 150 is disposed in the casing 110 of the apparatus 100 and grinds the coffee beans 20 by the method described below. The hot water tube 152 carries the heated water from the heater 146 to a water outlet 132 disposed above the tray 112.

  As best shown in FIGS. 27 and 29, the lifting mechanism 156 is activated by the handle 114 to move the cup 10 between a lower position and an upper position. The lifting mechanism 156 includes a link arm 158, a pin 160 operatively attached to the receiving bracket 124 of the tray 112 and an associated slot 162, and a plate 164 in which the slot 162 is located. In operation, by moving the handle 114 downward, the pin 160 follows the path of the slot 162 and lifts the cup 10 and the receiving bracket 124 upwards to the bean grinder. A guide post 161 is placed in the receiving bracket hole 163 to ensure proper orientation and alignment of the cup 10 with the bean grinder. Lowering cup 10 follows the reverse procedure.

  Referring to FIG. 30, the apparatus 100 includes a bean grinding blade 166 that is connected to and driven by the rotation output shaft 168 attached to the bean grinding motor 150. When the handle 114 is moved to the lower position as shown in FIG. 28, the cup 10 is lifted so that the blade 166 engages and penetrates the foil cover 18 and enters the cup 10 to contact the coffee beans 20. Become. The cup mounting / lifting mechanism 156 is activated by the handle 114 and moves the cup 10 between an upper position and a lower position for grinding beans. The spring 154 is a user auxiliary spring, and when the handle 114 is lifted to insert the cup 10, the tray 112 is biased outward from the housing 110.

  As shown in FIG. 31, the upward movement of the handle 114 releases the tray 112, and the tray 112 can place the cup 10 on the receiving bracket 124 of the tray 112 (the plate 165 is spring loaded). It is slid outwards by the force of the spring 154 in cooperation with the non-working object. Next, the user places the cup 10 on the tray 112 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 33, the tray 112 must be manually pushed back to the closed position until it is locked in place by the tray lock 170 shown in FIG.

  Figures 35-37 illustrate penetration and bean grinding procedures according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 35, the filter cup 10 is lifted upward toward the blade 166 in the direction of arrow F when the handle 114 is lowered. FIG. 36 illustrates the position of the cup 10 when the cup 10 is fully lifted. In that position, a seal ring 172, such as an O-ring, engages the upper periphery of the cup 10 and the cup 10 is pressurized when the beverage making process is performed. FIG. 37 illustrates the lower position of the cup 10 after bean grinding and beverage making and the handle 114 has been lifted. Importantly, the sealing 172 seals the top of the cup 10 and the cup can be pressurized. In a preferred embodiment, the cup is pressurized above 200 kPa (2 bar) during coffee making, although other pressures may be used without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention.

  Various views of a bean grinder blade 166 for grinding unground coffee beans are shown in FIGS. As shown, the blade 166 has a V-shape. Importantly, the blade 166 has an insertion cutting edge 174 so that it passes through the foil cover 18 of the cup 10 when the cup 10 is lifted by the downward movement of the handle 114. The upper portion of the blade also includes an upward pull cutting edge 176 that opens up the foil cover 18 when the cup 10 is lowered away from the blade after the beverage is made due to the upward movement of the handle 114. Each “V-shaped” leg is also formed with opposing recesses 178 and protrusions 180 to facilitate grinding the coffee beans 20 as described below. The blade 166 also includes a collar 182 for connection with the output shaft 168 of the bean grinding motor 150. In such embodiments, blade 166 may be removable for replacement and / or more thorough cleaning. In another embodiment, the blade 166 is formed integrally with the output shaft 168 of the motor 150 or is fixedly attached. As will be readily appreciated, the narrow profile of the blade 166 cuts a minimum width slot in the foil cover 18 so that the ground coffee 128 does not jump out of the cup 10 during grinding. Further, the shape and configuration of the blade 166 facilitates cleaning.

  FIG. 44 illustrates the cup 10 being lifted toward the blade 166 and FIG. 45 illustrates the blade 166 piercing the foil cover 18 of the cup 10 using the insertion cutting edge 174. In both FIGS. 44 and 45, the coffee beans in cup 10 have not yet been ground. After grinding the beans, the beans 20 are converted to ground coffee 128. As described above, the beverage is made and then the cup 10 is lowered as shown in FIGS. 46 and 47, and the draw-cut edge 176 of the blade 166 is re-pierced in the foil cover 18 as necessary, and the blade The cup 10 is easily removed from the 166.

  Here, with reference to FIGS. 48 to 50, the actual bean grinding process is illustrated. When the bean grinder motor 150 is activated, the bean grinder blade 166 rotates at a high rotational speed sufficient to grind the coffee beans 20 in the filter cup 10 and the coffee beans 20 are removed from the unmilled beans shown in FIG. Change to the ground one shown in FIG. Specifically, the blade 166 rotates in a direction (see FIG. 49) such that the protrusion 180 of the blade 166 strikes / impacts the coffee beans 20 and breaks them. Over time, and most importantly, from the blade itself, many impacts by the protrusions 180 gradually reduce the size of the coffee beans, making the beans fine enough to hold coffee. In one embodiment, the blade 166 may continue to rotate at a predetermined number of revolutions during the coffee making process, i.e., the time that the heated water is passing through the cup 12. The number of rotations during the addition of coffee may be the same as or different from the number of rotations used to grind the coffee beans 20. In other embodiments, the blade 166 may be used to stir the drink contents while making coffee, making the drink contents easier to dissolve in water and passing through the cup 10 (eg, , When using iced tea drinks instead of unground coffee beans). As will be readily appreciated, a better tasting drink can be made by stirring the drink content / coffee beans in the cup 10 while making the drink. In particular, stirring while coffee is being added improves the contact between ground coffee 128 and heated water and improves coffee quality and / or concentration.

  In an alternative embodiment, the filter cup 10 may be retracted from the bean grinder blade 166 prior to dispensing heated water to the cup 10. As will be readily appreciated, this means that the bean grinder 166 only contacts the coffee beans when the coffee beans are dry (ie, when the coffee beans 20 are ground before adding coffee). Make sure. Thus, the ground coffee beans will not stick to the blade 166, which would occur if the blade 166 and ground coffee 122 were present together in a damp state, thus eliminating the need to clean the blade. Keep it virtually unaffected by ground coffee.

  52-57 illustrate alternative profiles for the bean grinder 184 used in the apparatus 100. FIG. As shown, the blade has a V-shape and has a piercing edge 186 that pierces the foil cover 18 of the cup 10. The blade 184 also has two horizontally extending flanges 188, 190 to facilitate the grinding of coffee beans and to refold the foil 18 when the cup 10 is lowered away from the blade 184. It has two upper edges 192, 194 that open up. Similar to the blade 166 of the preferred embodiment, the blade 184 is removably attached to the output shaft 168 of the bean grinder motor 150 or is molded integrally with the output shaft 168 or permanently fixed.

  The flow path of water used in the treatment process of the present invention is shown in FIG. First, the container 116 is filled with water. In one embodiment, the container 116 is removably placed in the housing 110 and the user can remove the container 116 to fill the water and then place it on the housing 110. As will be readily appreciated, such a configuration is easier than bringing a water source to the container itself. As shown in FIG. 60, the container 116 has a removable lid 194 to facilitate filling with water. As best shown in FIGS. 17-24, the water outlet 196 allows water to flow from the vessel 116 under gravity. The water outlet 196 is provided with a valve 198 of a type well known to those skilled in the art, which may be electronically activated and controlled by a conventional controller from an open position to a closed position and vice versa. While making coffee, water is discharged from the container 116 through the water outlet 196 and flows through the first tube 200 until it reaches the pump 148. Pump 148 pumps water through heater 146 to heat the water to the desired predetermined temperature. Water passes from the heater 146 to the water outlet 132 through the hot water supply tube 152.

  In one embodiment, at the end of the beverage making process, the water flow is stopped before the heater so that steam is created to push or blow off excess liquid remaining in the cup 10. As will be readily appreciated, this steam injection ensures that the last few drops of coffee do not remain in the cup 10 and do not drip.

  As shown in FIG. 25B, in one embodiment, the water outlet 132 is a showerhead in the form of an annular tube or ring 208 having a number of holes 210 for distributing heated water therein. The heated water discharged from the hole 210 of the shower head 132 is used both for making coffee and for washing the blade 166 by a washing operation. While making coffee, the heated water exiting from the water outlet / shower head 132 enters the cup 10, which contains ground coffee 128 at this moment in the process. The water is now the coffee that has been put in, but is drained from the cup 10 through the holes 32 in the floor 26 of the cup 10. As water is drained from the cup through the holes 32, it flows downward through the outlet water channel of the tray 112 before being discharged from the tray outlet 202. In one embodiment, the tray may include a flow mitigation member 204 directly below the hole 32 of the filter cup 10. The flow mitigating member obstructs the direct flow of the coffee put into the coffee mug 109 so that the put coffee does not squirt out of the user or form dirt. After exiting the outlet 202, the water now flows into the coffee mug 109, although it is now coffee. Depending on the size to be served, the volume of liquid selected is pre-selected using control 118 and accordingly pump 148 and water outlet 196 will only flow the selected amount before stopping the flow. Controlled.

  FIGS. 65-67 illustrate an alternative configuration of drip tray 106 according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the drip tray is shown in FIG. 66, in a first position located below the coffee outlet 202 in which the tray 106 is placed, and in FIG. Between the second position and the second position. The drip tray 106 in the position shown in FIG. 67 may accommodate the tall cup / mug 206.

  FIG. 68 illustrates a coffee machine 300 having an alternative configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown, instead of the vertically placed cup 10 and bean grinder 166 and the coffee showerhead 132 and motor 150 placed vertically above the cup 10, these elements are oriented horizontally. Specifically, as illustrated, the filter cup 10 is installed in the housing 110 so as to face the horizontal direction. Further, the bean grinding motor 150, the shower head 132, and the blade 166 are disposed beside the cup 10 in a horizontal position. In this embodiment, the apparatus 300 includes a water channel 302 that communicates with the bottom of the cup 10, and the cup of coffee exits the cup and flows through the water channel 302 to an outlet 202 that distributes to the user's cup 109.

  69 and 70 illustrate a coffee machine 400 according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. The coffee device 400 is similar in construction to the device 100 described above, but there are some important differences. As shown, instead of the stationary motor 150, the blade 166 and the showerhead 132, and the cup 10 lifted to engage the blade 166, in this embodiment, the coffee showerhead 132, the motor 150 and blade 166 are configured to move toward and away from stationary cup 10. FIG. 69 illustrates the first position of the motor 150, blade 166 and cup of coffee showerhead 132 above the stationary filter cup 10. The motor 150, the blade 166, and the showerhead 132 of the inserted coffee are movable in the vertical direction to the second position shown in FIG. 70, and the blade is located in the cup 10 at the second position. Vertical movement of the motor 150, blade 166 and showerhead 132 can occur by using mechanical motion or electrical actuators. The coffee device 400 according to this embodiment is different from the active filter cup 10 and the passive drink maker assembly, as opposed to the active drink maker assembly (motor 150, bean grinder 166 and shower head 132) and the passive filter cup 10. It is characterized by having.

  Although the preferred embodiment contemplates grinding coffee from unground coffee beans, it is not intended that the present invention be limited in this respect. Specifically, the apparatus and method of the present invention is not originally limited to cups containing unground coffee beans, and the present invention includes ground coffee, partially ground coffee, tea leaves, ground tea, or It is considered to be used for cups containing ingredients that are mixed with beverages. Furthermore, the apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention can make / fill drinks from any material contained in a filter cup and is not limited to making coffee from unground coffee beans.

  Although the present invention has been shown and described with respect to detailed embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will recognize that various changes can be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements without departing from the scope of the invention. Let's go. In addition, modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the basic scope thereof. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed in the foregoing detailed description, but is intended to include all embodiments that fall within the scope disclosed herein.

Claims (6)

A pre-packed drink container with:
A cup-shaped body having a floor, a peripheral side wall, and an upper opening;
A filter element disposed above the floor;
At least one hole formed in the floor;
A plurality of drink inclusions disposed adjacent to the filter element within the body;
A fragile cover that is sealed to the body and covers the top opening to contain the beverage content in the beverage container ;
The beverage contains unground coffee beans;
A grinding mechanism penetrates the fragile cover;
In the beverage container, the unground coffee beans are ground by the grinding mechanism;
Drink container. The cover is formed from a metal foil;
The drink container according to claim 1. The filter element is made of paper;
The drink container according to claim 1 . Further comprising a screen disposed on the filter element below the unground coffee beans;
The drink container according to claim 1 . The screen is made of plastic;
The drink container according to claim 4 . A plurality of grooves formed in the floor surface of the beverage container for directing a flow of liquid in the beverage container to at least one hole in the floor surface;
The drink container according to claim 1.

Images